the university (but who are neither students nor staff) can wear a generally similar gown, in being of plain purple material with edgings of gold ribbon, at ceremonies. References Nicholas Groves (ed.) (2011) Shaw's Academical Dress of Great Britain and Ireland, 3rd edition, Published by the Burgon Society, , pp. 281–282 The University of Manchester - General Regulations Including Academic Dress Philip Lowe Manchester Academic Dress: the origins and development of academical dress at the Victoria University of Manchester from 1880 to the present day. Manchester: University, 2002 Manchester University of Manchester